Buhari's Demonstration of Intentional Leadership

It is expected of every leader to be intentional in their manners and ways because if you want to experience significant progress toward your goal, you need to be intentional about the work you are doing every day.

Intentional living has been said to be the art of making our own choices before others' choices make us.

The art of being procreative instead of being reactive in the face of challenges and decisions.

Being procreative gives you control and reactive puts you under the control of the one who is several steps ahead of you.

Being intentional is a key requirement of good leadership.

For President Muhammadu Buhari, the trip to the Netherlands could not have come at a better time. It would afford him the opportunity to demonstrate intentional leadership about the current situation of the country, its security, socio-economic state and human rights records.

He would at the same time strategize on the way forward and regain control of circumstances that had put nation's leadership on the back foot, being reactive to its many problems.

Buhari in recent months has been buffeted left, right and center by calls from across the country for an improved economy, better results in the war against corruption and pleas for improved security of life and property.

Nigerians are confronted by a myriad of socio-economic problems daily and want answers from the country's leadership on the barrage of questions facing them before they lose hope.

By extension, President Buhari himself is under immense pressure to deliver solutions to put Nigerian minds at rest and the only way to go about it is intentional leadership.

The special invitation from the International Criminal Court (ICC) to be part of the revered institution's 20th anniversary and the investiture of Chile Eboe-Osuji, as its President, presents itself as another perfect opportunity to demonstrate intentional leadership.

On Monday, July 16th, President Buhari met with over 20 Chief Executive Officers of Dutch companies on the bylines of his official visit to The Hague, Netherlands.

The outcome of the meeting? A series of business opportunities in areas key to job creation, infrastructure provision and harnessing of the country's natural resources to a more beneficial effect to the GDP.

Among the business opportunities headed to Nigeria as a result of the meeting with the select Dutch CEOs are;

i.400 hectares of land for a textile park in Nigeria from Vlisco (foremost textile makers of Ankara wax and other fabrics)

ii.Ready to drink project which is ready to use 100% locally sourced milk from Friesland Campina (makers of Peak Milk)

iii.Friesland Campina also promised training for dairy farmers, and provision of fortified milk for school pupils (directly beneficial to the Federal Government's School Feeding Program)

Also among the takeaways from the investment parley was Mr. Roland Pirmez of Heineken commendation of the Buhari government for stability in the exchange rate for the past six to eight months.

It is key to note where pessimists see problems, optimists see possibilities. When President Buhari left for The Hague in the Netherlands on Sunday, he left with a bag full of problems; concerns about the economy, improving security and a host of other key issues.

Because of his intentional leadership and the tactful thinking of his delegation, President Buhari has had that vital parley with the Dutch business community and is returning home with a bag full of solutions and business opportunities.

Kudos to President Buhari for this, Nigerians can look forward to better days.